Casino could block mountain bike access to Vietnam

Friday

Oct 18, 2013 at 10:42 PM

By Susan Spencer, TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

MILFORD — "These trails are not for beginners," reads a sign in a kiosk less than a quarter-mile up a granite-strewn slope.

It is evident from the sharp drops off boulders, the twisting single-track path corrugated with tree roots, and the dips and chutes that make for exciting mountain biking that this terrain is for people who know what they're doing in the outdoors.

The 46-acre woodland parcel known as "Vietnam," purchased by the nonprofit New England Mountain Bike Association in 2003 to preserve as open space, draws skilled mountain bikers from throughout the region, who come for the site's technical features and scenic beauty.

NEMBA representatives say the place earned its name because it's so rough and wild.

The property is part of the 1,200-acre Upper Charles Headwaters Area straddling Milford, Holliston and Hopkinton, north of Interstate 495 between Routes 85 and 16. Besides Vietnam, the area holds a network of trails, including the paved Upper Charles Rail Trail used by hikers, bikers, runners and equestrians.

While Vietnam's habitués might not be beginners when it comes to mountain biking, members of the non-political NEMBA find themselves having to get up to speed on a debate new to the region, over a proposed $1 billion resort casino that could be built nearby.

"I think the proximity to our property has the potential to impact us greatly," said Eammon Carleton of Oxford, president of the Blackstone Valley Chapter of NEMBA. "NEMBA is neither for or against gambling. We just don't feel this is the right location for it."

NEMBA has posted an action alert on its website informing members about the proposed casino and urging them to voice their opposition.

A townwide referendum on a host community agreement between casino developers and the town is scheduled for Nov. 19.

"Unfortunately, only Milford residents have the ability to vote. We do have a couple of Milford members who have been active in the casino opposition," Mr. Carleton said.

Foxwoods Massachusetts and its investors, Crossroads Massachusetts LLC, own rights to develop 187 acres consisting of five parcels west of Route 16 and along I-495. The land lies just a small parcel away from Vietnam's southeastern border.

The proposed casino parcels are in Milford's business park zoning district, so even if the referendum is approved by a majority of voters, a zoning bylaw amendment to allow resort casinos in that district would have to be approved by a two-thirds majority at a special town meeting Dec. 9.

Milford Town Planner Larry Dunkin said that the zoning change would also allow casino developers to request a building height up to 145 feet, instead of the current restriction of 60 feet, or five stories.

If Foxwoods wins local approval, it still must compete for the single Eastern Massachusetts resort casino license with Wynn Resorts in Everett and Caesars Resorts at Suffolk Downs. The state Gaming Commission expects to award the license next spring.

Foxwoods might have political hurdles to overcome, but local mountain bikers fear its development could ruin their wilderness destination.

John Vosburg of Holliston, NEMBA's chairman of the Vietnam Land Management Committee, explained that passive recreation users have grandfathered permission to use the myriad trails snaking from the main roads to Vietnam.

The casino would block access a half-mile from the Dunster Road trailhead in Holliston, one of three main approaches, taking routes like Swamp Bypass, 50 Yards the Hard Way, Lost Trail and Whale Rock out of commission.

"It would take out a good chunk of the trails that are used," Mr. Vosburg said.

He said that studies have shown passive recreation users, like hikers and mountain bikers, tend to take care of the trails and keep remote areas from attracting dumping and other illicit activity.

NEMBA members have been active caretakers for the land since they raised more than $200,000 to purchase and preserve Vietnam a decade ago.

"I have a lot invested in the property," Mr. Carleton said. "I've spent one to two days a week doing trail work. I feel like I have a lot of sweat equity in it."

He added: "It's been an incredible asset. It's given us an opportunity to expand, and promote ourselves as land managers, as well as land users."

NEMBA summarily rejected an offer for the Vietnam property a few years ago from Ajax Gaming Ventures, a Crossroads investor, which offered $35,000 for a one-year purchase option, based on a $1.65 million sale price.

"That would be a serious breach of trust," said Philip Keyes, NEMBA's executive director. He said that donors contributed to purchase the land to preserve it for open space and that its commercial development was out of the question.

John Connor of Holliston, who stopped to talk during his bike ride along the Upper Charles Rail Trail in Milford recently, said he mountain bikes often in Vietnam.

He adamantly opposed the casino.

"We have one of the best recreation areas in the country that would be totally devastated by commercial casino interests," he said. "It's opposite to healthy recreation."

One of Mr. Connor's biking companions, Joel Arbeitman of Ashland, who founded the Ashland Bike Club, said he was particularly concerned about traffic — and potentially drunken drivers — heading to and from the casino at all hours.

He said, "We're looking to expand more bicycling, safer bicycling. Anything that's going to expand traffic is not helpful."

Pointing out 13-year-old Shayne Desroches of Hopkinton, who was hit by a car and killed while biking along Route 85 in September, Mr. Arbeitman said: "You tell me how many 13-year-old boys are going to die so we can have more revenue for the town of Milford."

The casino battle will be fought on many fronts — economic, infrastructure, public safety and social impacts, to name a few.

But for those who appreciate the natural benefits and challenges of recreation in the Upper Charles Headwaters, a casino would irreversibly alter their paradise.

"I came from California. I've seen what casinos can do to a community," said Mr. Vosburg. "I'd hate to see that blight come to an area that people already enjoy."

Contact Susan Spencer at susan.spencer@telegram.com. Follow her on Twitter @SusanSpencerTG.

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